$31.3m funding boost for Landcare and sustainable agriculture
8 September 2011: More than $31 million will be invested in 116 Landcare, sustainable agriculture and pest and weed management projects this year as part of the Gillard Government’s Caring for our Country initiative.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Joe Ludwig, who last night made the announcement as part of Landcare Week at the Farmer of the Year Awards in Sydney, acknowledged the success of the initiative in bringing the community together to work on environmental and agricultural projects.
“Amongst other things, these collaborations work to restore and better manage our landscapes, improve farm practices and care for our land,” Minister Ludwig said.
“Through Caring for our Country, the Australian Government’s flagship natural resource management initiative, we are investing more than $600 million over five years in sustainable agriculture, including improving farm and land management practices as well as controlling and managing weeds and pests.
“These important projects aim to ensure the survival of our agricultural industries, and protect our natural resources for future generations.”
Projects funded include over $357,000 for Dairy Australia to develop nutrient efficiency guidelines for the Australian dairy industry, and over $440,000 for the Cotton Catchment Cooperative Research Centre to help cotton farmers increase native vegetation on their properties in order to improve biodiversity and pest control.
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Mike Kelly, said projects covered a wide range of areas, from new social media approaches to help farmers adopt better land management practices, to major rehabilitation and conservation efforts.
“This year’s projects build on some impressive achievements in the first three years of Caring for our Country,” Dr Kelly said.
“It’s wonderful to see what can be achieved through commitment and dedication from local communities, which is reflected in the scope and diversity of this year’s successful projects.”
Last night’s announcement builds on the $66.4 million Caring for our Country funding for Australia’s regional natural resource management organisations announced in early August 2011.
For further information about Caring for our Country, including a list of funded projects, visit www.nrm.gov.au.
